December 2012 Solicits

The December solicits for DC Comics have been released and it is an interesting month to look at. Here is a link to the entire list of solicits from Comics Alliance: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/09/17/dc-comics-december-2012-solicitations-before-watchmen-new-52-vertigo/

With a number of the first wave books hovering with low sales, it is natural to wonder if more cancellations are around the corner and a number of books have a 'big finish' feel to their solicits. That said, only one book has been labeled 'Final Issue' - G.I. Combat. I was worried a bit about Demon Knights until Paul Cornell and Bernard Chang went onto Twitter saying the book is in no danger.

As for the Super books, it will be H'El on Earth time so these solicits are interesting.

SUPERGIRL #15
Written by MICHAEL GREEN and MIKE JOHNSON
Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
• The "H'EL ON EARTH" crossover event continues!
• H'el takes Supergirl on a whirlwind tour of Earth and even space, all in an attempt to sway her to his cause.
• On the surface of the sun, Supergirl must make a choice: Earth or H'el?

We knew all along that Supergirl might be sympathetic to H'El's alleged pro-Kryptonian stance on things. My guess is she'll make the right choice and side with her new home.

Great cover by Asrar here.

ACTION COMICS #15
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Backup story written by SHOLLY FISCH
Art by RAGS MORALES and MARK PROPST
Backup story art by CHRIS SPROUSE and KARL STORY
Cover by RAGS MORALES
Variant cover by FIONA STAPLES
1:100 B&W Variant cover by RAGS MORALES

Retailers: This issue will ship with four covers. Please see the order form for more information.
• Superman is on trial for his life – and the jury is the Anti-Superman Army! It's the ultimate villains springing the ultimate trap at the end of time itself!
• And the mystery that has built since issue #1 is resolved as the Little Man's true identity is revealed – with grave consequences!
• Plus, in the backup feature: A crucial piece of information is revealed!

This issue will have 4 covers! Crazy. And one by Fiona Staples! Fantastic!

I have enjoyed Action a lot in the new 52. I really hope that Morrison is able to bring this thing to a satisfactory close. But this cover and the solicit of a fight with the Anti-Superman Army and the Little Man sounds great. He has to be some sort of 5th dimensional imp, no?

Another nice cover here by Morales.

SUPERMAN #15
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL
Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
• The "H'EL ON EARTH" crossover event continues!
• Superman, Supergirl and Superboy are together at last! And it's a disaster!
• Superman and Supergirl have very different opinions on how to confront H'EL! And in order to stop a Kryptonian, Kal-El must seek help from Lex Luthor, the one person who does nothing but think about that!

The superfamily 'together at last! And it's a disaster!' Yeesh. I hope things eventually get better.

Since we haven't seen Luthor since the early issues of Action, I am interested to see what his character is in the 'present day'. Super-genius in a battle suit? Evil CEO? Both?

The idea of a hero asking a villain for advice is a well traveled road but Superman asking Lex how to get rid of a Kryptonian?? Should be good.

My only hope is that the super-family all emerge from this arc as more heroic. I don't need them more feared or more isolated.

SUPERBOY #15
Written by TOM DeFALCO
Art R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
• The "H'EL ON EARTH" crossover event continues!
• The moment is finally here: Superboy and Superman, face to face!
• With Superboy dying from the wounds H'el inflicted on him, they may not have time for a heart-to-heart!

So that is the old school jean wearing Superman confronting Superboy. So maybe there is an element of time travel to this thing. Maybe that is truly Kara back on Krypton.

I like the coloring on this cover, the blue energy giving Superboy a more classic appearing costume.

WORLDS' FINEST #7
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, GEORGE PEREZ and SCOTT KOBLISH
Cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
1:25 B&W Variant cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
• Robin begrudgingly helps Huntress track down the threat to Wayne Enterprises, but little do they realize that threat is actually tracking them!
• Meanwhile, Power Girl continues to explore the connection between Earth 2, Apokolips and this Earth, only to find herself in a stand-off with...a bunch of heavily armed 10-year-olds?!

Boy Kevin Maguire loves to draw shredded costumes. Reminds me of the Cat and the Bat storyline in Batman Confidential. 

While Huntress gets the cover treatment, I am more grabbed by the PG portion of the solicit. armed 10yr olds? Has to be some version of the Newsboy Legion, right?

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 #8
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by CHRISCROSS and MARC DEERING
Cover by MICO SUAYAN
• The first time in print for these digital-first adventures!
• The "Detective" epic reaches its heartpounding conclusion!
• BATMAN and GREEN ARROW versus a Prankster-controlled MISTER FREEZE!
• SUPERMAN versus PRANKSTER for the fate of METROPOLIS!

From Worlds' Finest to a book that sounds like an old school World's Finest! Batman and Superman squaring off to fight a super-villain team-up! Sounds good to me.

I liked ChrisCross' work on the last Smallville so glad to see him penciling again. Wonder if Pere Perez is off the book. 

And when will the 'Crisis' part of the season start to happen?

SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #8
Written by ART BALTAZAR and FRANCO
Art and cover by ART BALTAZAR
• Who are the mysterious alien menaces with the super family's powers?
• What is that strange alien symbol? What does it mean to Superman – and to Krypton?

Now one of the things I loved about Tiny Titans was the way it inserted and often lampooned mainstream DCU concepts. Looks like Superman Family Adventures might do the same. There is no doubt this cover references the initial arc of the Perez new 52 Superman story. Will Art Baltazar and Franco be able to make it make any sense?

Luckily it looks like the whole family will be involved. 

I am hoping that H'El on Earth eventually brings the family closer. But in this DCnU, who knows.